A HOAX IN HIGH QUARTERS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 524, 1 July 1869, Page 2

A HOAX IN HIGH QUARTERS.

The Scotsman says :—" A case has just come to our knowledge which is probably without a parallel in the annals of St. Valentine. Six young ladies in an English boarding school—two of thetn hailing from the north—purchased a very pretty valentine, which they sent directed to ' His Holiness the Pope, Home.' Accompanying the valentine was a letter, signed by all the young ladies, stating that they had seen his holiness's condemnation of chignons and long dresses, and had been so impressed by it that they had given up both. The young ladies waited patiently, and in due time received a letter from Cardinal Antonelli acknowledging receipt of the valentine and epistle, which had afforded his holiness much gratification. The letter was in French. The young ladies were delighted to get an epistle from such an exalted prelate. However, another post brought back their valentine, with the Pope's blessing beautifully written upon it in Italian. His Holiness had not been accustomed to such souvenirs, and thought it would be doubly valuable returned with his benediction. The young ladies were immensely pleased", and are having the documents lithographed for preservation—the originals to be given to the girl who suggested the affair. It may be added that neither of the youuj; ladies has either takou down her chignon or shortened her dress one-eighth of an inch ; the whole matter having been entered into as a joke, although it may seem to some that for a few girls to hoax his Holiness Pope Pius IX., and his great lord cardinal of a secretary, was hoaxing in rather high quarters."